NewsLocal NewsIn Your NeighborhoodBakersfield

Actions

Appellate court rejects state's appeal over Fong's congressional candidacy

Screenshot 2024-04-09 at 10.21.15 AM.png
Posted

The Third District Court of Appeals upheld a Sacramento Superior Court's ruling that Assemblyman Vince Fong is eligible to run for the 20th Congressional District despite arguments citing Elections Code 8003(b).

The ruling stated that the question in this case is how to interpret the text of this section, which states "No person may file nomination papers for a party nomination and an independent nomination for the same office, or for more than one office at the same election." The ruling continued, stating that the first part of the section establishes prohibitions to independent nominations, but not to all candidates.

Ahead of the March 5 Primary, Fong filed papers for reelection for the 32nd District Assembly seat. Then, after former Congressman Kevin McCarthy announced his retirement, Fong filed paperwork for the 20th Congressional District one day before the filing deadline.

Secretary of State Shirley Webber said she would not accept Fong's nomination papers for the 20th CD citing Elections Code 8800 preventing withdrawal of a candidacy for a primary election and 8003(b) prohibiting a person from filing nomination papers for more than one office in the same election.

Fong took the matter to court in December with judge Shelleyanne W. L. Chang ruling in favor of Fong's candidacy. Weber appealed the decision and Oral Arguments on the matter were heard last week.


Stay in Touch with Us Anytime, Anywhere:

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Tuesday

12/23/2025

Partly Cloudy/Wind

72° / 59°

0%

Wednesday

12/24/2025

AM Rain

63° / 55°

97%

Thursday

12/25/2025

Showers

62° / 52°

58%

Friday

12/26/2025

Showers

57° / 46°

59%

Saturday

12/27/2025

AM Showers

51° / 44°

32%

Sunday

12/28/2025

Mostly Sunny

52° / 41°

7%

Monday

12/29/2025

Partly Cloudy

50° / 43°

11%

Tuesday

12/30/2025

Partly Cloudy

53° / 46°

16%